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Proper Use and Maintenance of a Wood Heater Stove A wood stove is a great method to warm your home and can also be used to heat your entire home. Certain stoves emit harmful gasses like creosote which could be harmful to health and property. A proper care for these stoves is essential. Some of the most important points to consider include making sure the room isn't overheated, not messing with the fire and using correctly dried firewood. Fuel Wood stoves burn a variety of fuel types which include dry wood and manufactured solid fuels such as briquettes and fire logs. These cleaner burning alternatives are healthier and more sustainable than traditional house coal or wet wood. They still emit harmful gases and smoke, and require regular maintenance to work at their best. Check the manufacturer's instructions before purchasing or using any kind of fuel. Make sure it is the right one for your stove. Unsuitable fuels could damage your stove or chimney which can result in costly repairs and invalidating your warranty. The use of a fuel that is not approved could also be unlawful, particularly in areas with smoke control. Look for the “Ready to Burn” logo. This means that the fuel is within smoke emission and sulphur limit limits and can be legally sold for domestic use. small wood burner is typically displayed on the packaging, or along with the brand name and price. Fuels that are suitable for burning should be dried or seasoned to reduce moisture content. This will improve the heat output and efficiency of combustion. The type of wood chosen should also suit your heating needs. Softwoods like pine and spruce are good value for money, however, hardwoods such as oak or beech generate more hot embers and operate over a longer time. Fruitwoods such as apple and cherry are not just used to heat the house and provide an appealing scent. If you own a multi-fuel stove, consider a mixed fuel stove; Combining wood with smokeless briquettes can help to keep the flames going and keep your home warm for a longer period of time. Briquettes are a great backup and can also keep a chimney from burning by ensuring that the air is moving. A well-maintained stove will produce more heat and burn less fuel, while producing fewer harmful particles. If you have a gas or oil-fired wood stove, ensure that it is fitted by a registered installer (on a competent person scheme like HETAS, APHC, BESCA, Certsure or NAPIT). A properly maintained appliance will be more economical to run and will safeguard your health and the environment by preventing harmful emissions. Design The design of wood stoves is a crucial aspect to consider when considering their use as a primary or complementing heat source. Unwanted byproducts of combustion, like smoke and carbon monoxide, are a concern for the environment and health. The most important factor in reducing the emissions is to operate with a proper manner and a careful design. Modern wood stoves are more environmentally sustainable than older models. All EPA-certified stoves comply with strict emission and energy efficiency regulations which maximize the amount of heat they generate. You can check if a wood stove is certified by looking for a metal EPA label on the back of the stove or by checking the EPA database. Visiting local hearth products retailers who know the performance of their selection is an excellent way to find out more about wood stoves and which size and capacity may be most suitable for your space. Controlling air flow through the stove is a key aspect of EPA emission regulations. The stove's firebox is enclosed by fireproof walls, and there are air vents inside these walls to allow for controlled airflow. Airflow control is essential to ensure that combustion is at its best and emissions are minimized. Modern stoves often have baffles that extend the duration of the fire which reduces the amount gas and smoke that can cause harm. Certain wood stoves also employ an catalytic converter to lower NOx emissions. This kind of system is more expensive and is usually only found in top-end wood stoves. Stoves also utilize different types of air control systems to regulate the air flow through the stove. The majority of wood stoves still use a basic passive air supply, which requires the operator (you) to operate the stove correctly to get the best performance. A few wood stoves also come with active air supply, which are controlled by sensors that track the combustion process and adjust the amount of air according to the needs. Wood stoves can be a fantastic alternative heating solution for homes in remote areas or those without access to the electric grid. If you don't have a backup source of heat in the event of an outage, or if there is an imminent snow storm, wood stoves shouldn't be the only option to heat your home. Heat output A lot of wood stoves advertise an output of heat at the peak in BTUs. This is misleading because the actual output of a wood-burning stove is dependent on a variety of factors, including the size of the room and how well insulated it is. The climate of the area is also a factor in heating requirements. Colder regions require stoves with greater BTU rating to maintain the temperature. Other variables that affect heat production include the type of wood used as well as the frequency of refilling. Dry, seasoned firewood produces more heat than fresh cut and wet logs. A stove fan may aid in the circulation of heat produced by the wood burner in the room instead of having the hot air rise up. It is vital to keep in mind that the peak output of wood heater stoves should not be a constant event as continuous high firing causes damage to the stove's internals and can cause carbon monoxide to escape into the home. The performance of a stove can also be improved by regular refueling. Make sure the log isn't too large and placed on the glowing embers, so it does not touch the glass or the walls of the stove. It's also recommended to add smaller logs frequently, rather than leaving too long between additions. High efficiency stoves are designed to provide greater heat output using the same amount fuel. This is accomplished by prewarming combustion air, and using other design features. These stoves emit less carbon monoxide, toxins, and smoke than older models. A few people also decide to install a back boiler stove as part of their heating system. It uses the heat produced by the wood-burning stove to warm water in hot water tanks or a central heating system, which allows the heat to be distributed throughout the house. This is a more efficient and cost-effective method of heating a home, although the installation process is quite lengthy. This method requires a separate flue and the additional energy required to run a back boiler will raise the operating costs of a wood stove. Safety Wood stoves and fireplaces are an attractive and convenient way to heat a home. They do come with risks. Sparks and embers can spout from a burning fire and ignite carpeting or furniture A burning chimney that is hot can cause fire damage to the structure of your house. A proper use and maintenance of a stove that burns wood reduces these dangers. To keep wood-burning stoves safe and in good working order, they should be regularly checked and maintained. This includes checking the flue and chimney for signs of rust and wear, and cleaning them at least twice per year. The chimney must be inspected for creosote half-way through the season. It is extremely flammable and could cause an explosion in the chimney. When you are buying a fireplace that burns wood make sure you choose one that has been endorsed by Underwriters Laboratories or another recognized testing laboratory. This will assure you that the stove has been constructed to meet federal safety standards, and is specifically designed to allow for proper venting. Examine the hinges, legs and grates to ensure they are in good shape and securely secured to a stove's floor. If you decide to install a wood-burning stove in your cabin, make sure the floor beneath it is a sturdy and constructed from non-combustible material. You can also put a non-combustible tile over your existing flooring in the event that it is fire-proof. Always burn only seasoned, dry hardwoods. Dry and damp wood creates excessive smoke and creosote, an ignitable byproduct that could build up in your chimney, releasing toxic chemicals into your home. Do not burn cardboard or trash, paper, or any other combustibles, as they can create dangerous fumes, and may not even ignite. Do not “over fire” your wood stove- that is, create a larger fire than the stove can handle. Overfiring can cause flames escape from the combustion chamber and damage to the chimney, stove connector, and chimney itself. It may also cause the burning of other combustible materials in your home. Also, ensure that the fire is completely extinguished before leaving your home or going to bed. Finally, you should always have functioning carbon monoxide and smoke alarms in your home.